In the Echos of Glory books there is a photo of the shattered flag staff reportedly belonging to the 12th Va that was damaged at the Battle of the Crater. It now resides in the Siege Museum in Petersburg Va. The flag shown with the staff in EOG is labeled in the book as the flag of the 12th Va. It is one of the late war ANV 12 star versions that I had previously identified and discussed here. However later learned that the flag shown was misidentified and is actually the flag of the 12th NC (WD-333, in the MOC collection).

Recently noted that the reenactment unit portaying the 12th Va had a reproduced copy of the same 12 star version being used. Inquired as to the pattern source they responded they had examined and copied the "12th Va" flag at th MOC and this was an identical copy of same. Reportedly claimed that they found in the unit history that when the unit returned from Sharpsburg/Antietam campaign that they tore off the center star, seemingly as a protest and disowning gesture to the state of Maryland. I personally have not heard of this or any other reference of this practice or occurance in this manner.

Refered to my files when I got home. The MOC flag currently identified and listed to the 12th Va is WD-437, which is one of the earlier versions of a 3rd Bunting (13 star) which would place its issue approx July 1862 to late 1863. Captured at Sailors Creek on April 6th 1865. So not sure exactly what they viewed when they reportedly visited the flag at MOC. Reportedly they have the flag data sheet from MOC detailing this 12 star.

I was curious about the 12star flag story if they might have earlier had one of the First Pattern 12 star silk battle flags that was actually being referenced, or another flag such as a 2nd bunting or whatever prior to the issue of WD-437. Wondering if anyone knows what the 12th Va had/issued prior to this WD-437 3rd bunting flag. Also was WD-333 mislabled as 12th Va v/s 12th NC at one time in the MOC collection as well, which would explain the earlier research mix up they conducted.

Respects
Frederick